Mandela to meet Congo rebel leaders
October 26, 1998
By Stephen Laufer
Johannesburg - President Nelson Mandela will on Thursday meet rebel leaders involved in the war against Democratic Republic of Congo President Laurent Kabila, as diplomatic efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict move up a gear.
The meeting in Pretoria will follow today's crisis summit of foreign and defence ministers in Lusaka, and a meeting scheduled for Wednesday between Mandela and Namibian President Sam Nujoma.
Sources said Deputy President Thabo Mbeki was to pay an official visit to Saudi Arabia next week, the latest in a series of overseas trips aimed at securing investment for SA and support for Pretoria's strategy in Africa. He could possibly also visit other Middle Eastern countries during the trip, scheduled for November 1 and 2.
Besides the completion of bilateral agreements, the deteriorating Congo situation and the danger of more countries entering the fray could be on the agenda in the Saudi capital Riyadh, it appears.
Sudan and Chad, both Islamic countries, are reportedly already involved in fighting in support of the Kabila government. Some sources believe Chad's intervention is being financed by Libya, whose leader, Muamar Gaddafi, may be considering sending forces of his own.
This suggests that Mbeki's trip could also be about building consensus among Islamic countries to stay out of the conflict.
SA's foreign affairs department said yesterday that Foreign Minister Alfred Nzo and Defence Minister Joe Modise would lead the SA delegation to today's talks chaired by Zambian President Frederick Chiluba. The meeting had been convened at the request of the Southern African Development Community heads of state, who had asked Chiluba to assist in the pursuit of a peaceful solution to the Congo crisis.
Ministers from countries allied to Kabila - Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe - and those supporting the rebels - Rwanda and Uganda - had been invited, as well as neutrals Tanzania, Burundi, Gabon, Kenya and SA. Senior representatives of the United Nations and the Organisation of African Unity are also expected to attend.
Observers are concerned that Kabila, who has so far refused to talk directly to the rebels, could again stay away because they are also expected in Lusaka.
The increased diplomatic activity comes as the alliance behind Kabila has vowed to take the war to the rebels in eastern Congo. They have made military advances in recent days, robbing Kabila and his allies of their air fields in the east.
Crucial Meeting On Congo Begins
October 26, 1998 |
